CarVerify

Free Car Check

W538 BKN

2000 Land Rover Defender

White Diesel 2495cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Nov 2026
Tests27 (15 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

152,287 mi
Last recorded152,287 miles
Recorded on18 Nov 2025
Typical for 2000 Land Rover Defender100,520 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationW538 BKN
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year2000
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Nov 2025 152,287 miles

Front Coolant low

Front Engine oil low

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Radius arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Nov 2024 148,413 miles

Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play BOTH BALL JOINTS SLIGHT PLAY (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Nov 2024 148,379 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords MULTIPLE CUTS TO CORDS (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached BOLTS LOOSE (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive that directional control is impaired MISSING BOLTS FROM THE CAP (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached BADLY CORRODED AND CRACKED (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached LOWER BUSH (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached BOLTS LOOSE (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached BIG RUST HOLE (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush so worn or insecure that directional stability is impaired A FRAME BUSH (5.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached LOWER BUSH (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin INNER PAD VERY LOW (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play BOTH BALL JOINTS SLIGHT PLAY (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin INNER PADS LOW (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Mudguard insecure ()

Pass 7 Nov 2023 146,531 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output faded (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear both reversing lamp not working

Fail 31 Oct 2023 146,515 miles

Nearside Rear Position lamp lens seriously defective damage (4.2.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

Offside Front Lower Steering box leaking to the extent that oil is dripping (2.1.1 (e) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working o/s/r and n/s/r (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output faded (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Rear both reversing lamp not working

Pass 1 Nov 2022 144,009 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced D-bush cover worn (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front side light lens damage

Offside Rear Outer taillight lens damage

Offside Rear number plate light cover slightly worn

Fail 27 Oct 2022 143,985 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced D-bush cover worn (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front side light lens damage

Offside Rear Outer taillight lens damage

Offside Rear number plate light cover slightly worn

Pass 11 Nov 2021 140,910 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 5 Nov 2021 140,905 miles

Central Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 6 Sep 2021 140,877 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective (3.1 (c))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

both front seat bases are damaged

both rear light clusters are damaged

Pass 21 Mar 2020 139,359 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

front number plate slight damage

n/s & o/s rear chassis corroded

repairs done to chassis o/k day of test

Fail 5 Mar 2020 139,301 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

clutch pedal rubber missing

front number plate slight damage

no warning lights on dash time of test

Pass 14 Feb 2019 135,005 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Slight damage to nearside rear light lens

Slight play in steering damper

Fail 8 Feb 2019 134,984 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component corroded and seriously weakened Coil spring cup (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Slight damage to nearside rear light lens

Slight play in steering damper

Pass 2 Feb 2018 130,619 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Fail 30 Jan 2018 130,616 miles

Drag link end ball joint has excessive play drop arm (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Fail 3 Jan 2018 130,245 miles

Central Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Both side of chassis (2.4.A.3)

Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Both front tyres worn close to legal limit

Front number plate damaged

Slight play in offside front pitman arm

Pass 18 Jan 2017 126,544 miles
Pass 4 Feb 2016 121,219 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2016 121,194 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement both (2.4.G.2)

long handbrake travel

Pass 6 Feb 2015 115,247 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 5 Feb 2014 110,428 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 5 Feb 2013 106,152 miles
Fail 31 Jan 2013 106,097 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fail 1 Feb 2012 100,621 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

offside rear light lens has slight damage

Pass 1 Feb 2012 100,621 miles

Offside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

offside rear light lens has slight damage

Pass 29 Dec 2010 90,898 miles

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

W538 BKN is a 2000 Land Rover Defender in White with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 2000 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.6% with a typical mileage of 100,520 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying W538 BKN, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 26 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of W538 BKN?

You can check the full history of W538 BKN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W538 BKN registered?

W538 BKN is a 2000 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 26 April 2000.

Is W538 BKN safe to buy?

The MOT history for W538 BKN shows 27 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W538 BKN have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on W538 BKN. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.